3 teens arrested in connection with beating of bus driver

The beating of a Metro bus driver shortly after midnight Saturday sent the bus driver to the hospital, two police cars crashing into each other, and three teens to jail.

The 56-year-old bus driver, who was working Route 124, was attacked when she stopped to let off passengers at South 144th Street and International Boulevard in Tukwila, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

According to witness descriptions, two passengers got off the bus before the doors closed.

Those passengers were among a group of seven or eight passengers in their teens or early 20s who had gathered at the back door. At least some of those still on the bus went to the front of the bus and started beating the driver on the head, knocking her unconscious, according to the sheriff's office.

Two teens then kicked and hit the rear door of the bus, breaking glass and bending the door frame. Then they ran off, according to the sheriff's office.

Tukwila police used a dog to track the group to a house in the 13700 block of 45th Avenue South and detained eight people, according to the sheriff's office. Witnesses identified three people who allegedly were most directly involved in the attack on the driver.

A 15-year-old boy from Renton was arrested for investigation of felony assault, while a 16-year-old from Tukwila and a 17-year-old from Kent were arrested for investigation of felony vandalism for breaking down the bus door.

The three were booked into the King County Youth Services Center.

The bus driver was hospitalized at Valley Medical Center, but her condition wasn't available, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

Police were notified of the beating of the bus driver by another passenger on the bus.

An officer from the Tukwila Police Department and a King County sheriff's deputy assigned to the SeaTac Police Department responded to the call.

When their patrol cars reached the intersection of South 148th Street and International Boulevard, they crashed into each other. The SeaTac officer's car subsequently hit a brick wall.

The Tukwila officer was treated at the scene. The SeaTac officer was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he was treated and released.